Inside a cell-phone theft ring that stole $300,000

Inside a cell-phone theft ring that drained online accounts and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Authorities identified 40 victims who suffered combined monetary losses topping $300,000; however, prosecutors believe both numbers are likely much higher.

"There's probably many, many more victims, many, many more things that never came to light because of the long-term scheme here," said Chris Freeman, managing attorney with the Hennepin Co. Attorney’s Office.

Over a two-year period, all 12 defendants pleaded guilty to various charges and roles in the highly sophisticated ring. Seven of them went to prison, including Aaron Johnson, the kingpin of the operation, who was sentenced to eight years behind bars.